The RAC Bulletin of 6 February had commented on the Minister’s policy
statement and urged that the drafting of the regulatory changes should
follow closely the Minister’s statement. It provided several reasons
why the exemption should not be removed for radio amateurs.

The consultation document released today proposes exactly the type of
change to the height exemption RAC favoured.The 15m exemption would
remain but not apply to “broadcasting undertakings and
telecommunications carriers”.

The consultation document proposes a number of other small changes to
CPC-2-0-03 and RAC will look closely at these before completing its
comments on the proposed changes. Industry Canada will receive
comments from the public on these changes by 31 March 2014 and
finalize the changes shortly thereafter.

Some radio amateurs had expressed concern that there might be a
blanket removal of the 15m exemption, forcing those wanting to install
any antenna into cumbersome notification and consultation processes.
This now seems unlikely but we need to follow through on the
consultation process to make sure this is the final result.